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Wright Center to stop charging for vaccines

The health care provider in Lackawanna County plans to refund those who were charged for getting the shots.

SCRANTON, Pa. — The Wright Center for Community Health has decided against billing patients for COVID-19 vaccines and will refund past office visit charges for the shots.

After facing weeks of public criticism, the Wright Center is changing the way it administers the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes as the center was at risk of losing funding from the county and saw its vaccine supply cut off by the state.

People who come to the Wright Center to receive the remaining COVID-19 vaccines there will no longer also receive a bill in the mail afterward.

Those who have already received a bill will now receive a refund.

The center faced backlash for its policy of only giving people the shot if they were examined first then charging them for an office visit.

Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, the CEO of the center, defended the decision last week in an interview with Newswatch 16, saying she did not want to put a shot in the arm of someone who has never been her patient before without knowing their medical history.

"We actually completely appreciate the fact that we can't force anybody to come get a shot through an office visit. But nobody can force us to behave like a pharmacy," Dr. Thomas-Hemak said.

Dr. Thomas-Hemak issued this statement today:

“We entered this pandemic with nothing but the best intentions. The Wright Center never anticipated that our approach would cause this outcome. We are very sorry for this result. The Wright Center for Community Health remains committed to serving our patients, families and community.”

The change of heart comes after the Department of Health cut off the vaccine supply to the provider and Lackawanna County decided to stop paying the center for vaccinating county employees and seniors high-rise residents.

"When the county contracted with the Wright Center to perform vaccinations for the employees and seniors, we don't employ doctors, so we're not sure if an exam was a warranted type of service, and now since we're hearing that it may not be, that's why I want verification before I pay any further bills, to be sure that it's an acceptable practice," said Lackawanna County Controller Gary Dibileo.

That interview took place about an hour before the Wright Center announced it would stop charging for an office visit.

The Department of Health would not confirm to Newswatch 16 why it stopped sending first doses to the Wright Center. A spokesperson would only confirm that the department was "aware of concerns against the provider."

Lackawanna County officials say they have already made arrangements with other providers to continue vaccinating county employees and senior citizens.

RELATED: How to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment in Pennsylvania

RELATED: Wright Center charging patients who get COVID-19 vaccine

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